Hieracium Cymosum
1760
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1760
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a simple, precise drawing of a dried plant with two parts: a tall stem topped with a cluster of small buds, and a set of long, narrow leaves at the base. The lines are clean and the plant is shown against a plain background, almost like a science sketch. The whole thing is labeled *Hieracium Cymosum* in neat handwriting. The plant looks like it was pressed flat and then carefully traced with ink. This was a common way to study and share plants before photography. If you like this style, look up Kniphof, Johann Hieronymus.
